Seven stand out retail technology investments
These retailers and brands are leading the way in providing technology and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.
1. Alibaba Group
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group’s Alibaba Cloud division has unveiled an autonomous logistics robot for last mile deliveries.
Developed by the Alibaba DAMO Academy, this can carry 50 packages at one time and cover 62 miles (or 100 kilometres) on a single charge.
Alibaba Cloud estimates that the robot should be able to deliver as many as 500 packages a day to one designated community or campus as demand for speedy last-mile delivery increases in China.
2. X5 Retail Group
Russian food retailer, X5 Retail Group, has launched a contactless shopping system that is accessible via a mobile app.
This is powered by its Express Scan technology, which was developed in-house.
3. Tesco
Tesco is teaming up with food sharing app and social enterprise Olio in a drive to reduce food waste in stores across the UK.
This follows a six month trial, held earlier this year, at 250 of the retailer’s stores which had the most food surplus and which saw a high rate of pick up.
4. Pret A Manger
Pret A Manger is using Eagle Eye’s AIR platform as part of the foundation for its new coffee subscription service.
Costing £20 per month, YourPret Barista enables users to get up to five barista prepared drinks per day, where the first month is free as part of a national launch.
5. Unilever
Google Cloud has partnered with Unilever for an initiative which will look to tackle deforestation using artificial intelligence and cloud computing with satellite imagery.
6. Walmart
US President Donald Trump has given his blessing for a deal between TikTok and a coalition of Oracle and Walmart, after threatening to ban the Chinese owned app.
Oracle will take a 12.5% share in the new company, TikTok Global, while Walmart will take 7.5%. Chinese firm ByteDance will retain roughly 80% of the venture. But because the latter is 40% owned by US investors, the new TikTok Global will technically have a majority American ownership.
7. Les Mousquetaires
Les Mousquetaires owned retailers Intermarché and Netto have announced a supply chain transformation partnership with Symphony RetailAI, covering the likes of forecasting accuracy, inventory and replenishment and improved store productivity.
